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A first reading reveals ‘Veiled’ as something close to a psalm. Subsequent readings point to this being the language and context of court and courtiers, of one being masterfully at play in the world. The other’s second sight and vision are important within this court, our world. And, as the speaker becomes aware of all that’s at play because of this other the shrouds obscuring his/her identity resolve from mist to essence. Knowledge of this mystic other’s essence is enough to encourage the speaker to stand-up for beliefs and values, removing their own veils of identity and essence; come what may the speaker is empowered to release all that is her/him – and to do so for the ‘good’ of others. Poetry is a mystic’s unveiling of essence and understanding; it functions as a parable – those who see (or who need to see) will see and understand.

Other connections – Lucinda Williams and her album, Essence. Tonight is Samhain and All Hallow’s Eve, a night when the Druids figured that with the mists and time of year that the spirits were most close to the earth and interacting with us. And, then again, the poem is appropriate for the mystic celebrated within the poem because today is the eve of tomorrow’s all saints day. The poem also connects to Christian testimony which is about unveiling personal story toward essence as saint and really becoming naked before the congregation; I supposed acceptance is part of the equation, here. And, then, there is the matter of protective camouflage, what we wear and say (or don’t say) that allows us to be considered part of the group. By the end of the poem, it is not a cold hard look at self and values and identity; it is more because love has been bestowed from the other to the speaker that the speaker lovingly chooses to unveil identity within their venue for court, beyond their walls.